The Pope has cancelled his visit to Assisi to recuperate.

Religious leaders gathered in Assisi, Italy, for an international peace meeting that began on October 25, marking the 40th anniversary of the historic prayer gathering convened by Saint John Paul II in 1986. Organized by the Community of Saint Egidius under the theme "Disarmed and Disarming Peace," the three-day event brings together representatives from various faiths and civil society to discuss dialogue in a world shaken by wars. Pope Leo XIV was originally scheduled to attend the concluding ceremony on October 27, but he will miss the final day due to medical advice regarding his recent recovery from lung surgery. The Vatican announced on Friday that doctors advised against the pope taking a helicopter flight to Assisi on Tuesday, October 27, despite reports of excellent postoperative progress. The decision was made as a precaution because little time has passed since his thoracic surgery. Instead of attending in person, Pope Leo XIV will send a video message to the participants. In this communication, he expressed closeness to the organizers and leaders, emphasizing that the "spirit of Assisi," dialogue, and the search for peaceful words and actions are precious resources during times of conflict. He encouraged attendees to make decisions favoring dialogue and peace. Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Saint Egidius, noted that peace seems to have disappeared from the horizon today. He observed that there is a growing belief that war is a natural companion of human history. However, Riccardi argued that being disarmed does not mean accepting the rule of violence or hatred. He stated that dialogue can disarm belligerent language, while prayer can invoke peace that people cannot guarantee for themselves. Marco Impagliazzo, president of the community, added that a new and creative view of interreligious dialogue was born in Assisi forty years ago. He described the current world as frightened, divided, and prey to nationalism and racism, arguing that spiritual connection is necessary to unite humanity as brothers and sisters. A total of 384 representatives from religions, cultures, and institutions across 53 countries are participating in the event. These delegates will engage in discussions at 24 thematic forums featuring 155 speakers. Topics include peace, prayer, economy, conflicts, children and youth, media, migration, disarmament, humanity, Christian unity, Mediterranean dialogue, poverty, and modern martyrs. The gathering aims to reaffirm that peace is possible, just as it was deemed achievable during the first meeting in 1986 with Pope John Paul II and during the 30th anniversary celebration in 2016 with Pope Francis. Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery last Tuesday to remove a cancerous nodule from his right lung. He was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday following the procedure. His physicians, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora, confirmed via chest imaging that his postoperative evolution is excellent. They stated that the cancer was localized and that the pope does not require further treatment. Although the surgical team indicated there were no clinical reasons preventing him from traveling, they prioritized caution given the short interval since the operation. This medical advice specifically targeted the planned helicopter travel to central Italy. The absence of the pope from the physical venue marks a deviation from previous anniversaries. In 1986, John Paul II invited representatives of all religions to pray for peace together for the first time in history. He described peace as a construction site open to everyone, not just experts or strategists. The current gathering continues this tradition, focusing on the role of religion in promoting peace. Participants are expected to conclude their deliberations with a joint solemnity for peace before the Basilica of Saint Francis. The pope's video address will serve as the final contribution to this collective reflection on global stability and interfaith cooperation. Medical updates indicate that Pope Leo XIV plans to resume his activities gradually. Despite the cancellation of the Assisi trip, his surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, stated in an interview that there is no clinical reason preventing the pope from undertaking a planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru between November 6 and 17. The pope, who is 71 years old and holds American and Peruvian nationality, had previously indicated after Sunday Angelus prayers that he would return to his duties step by step. The immediate focus remains on the ongoing discussions in Assisi, where delegates continue to explore how faith communities can contribute to resolving contemporary disputes and fostering a more united global society through sustained dialogue and mutual understanding.